Loose-sheet holder



J. ElFEL LOOSE SHEET HOLDER v Filed May 18, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,521

.3. ElFEL LOOSE SHEET HOLDER fl y 18. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 59 l Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH EIFEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-SHEET HOLDER.

Application filed Kay 18, 1922. Serial No. 561,875.

This invention relates to paper files and. binders and more particularly pertains to improvements in loose sheet holders.

WVhile this invention is illustrated as a sheet holder embodying some of the more important features of the well-known Tengwall type of binder, it will be understood that .the invention is not limited to this type of binder, but findsa wide field of utility for other types of sheet holders and binders and for other purposes.

The more important objects and advantages which characterize this invention find expression in the provision of improved angularly displaceable sheet supporting and retaining means; the provision of improved sheet engaging elements; the provision of an improved arrangement of angularly displaceable supporting means and sheet engaging devices; the provision of improved angularly adjustable sheet engaging elements; the provision of improved angularly and slidably adjustable sheet engaging devices; the provision of an improved combination of angularly displaceable supporting sections and angularly adjustable sheet engaging devices; the provision of independently angularly displaceable sheet supporting and engaging means; the provision of an improved combination of angularly dis placeable supporting sections and angularly and slidably adjustable sheet engaging devices; the provision of improved angularly and slidably displaceable supporting sections; the provision of improved sheet engaging means adapted for adjustment 'to sheets having various punchings therein; the provision of an improved combination of angularly displaceable sup orting members, angularly displaceable sleet engaging devices, and angularly 'displaceable cover portions; the provision of improved sheet engaging means which permits of offsetting (if some sheets relative to others; the provision of improved means for locking angularly displaceable sheet holding sections in various adjusted positions; the provision of improved means for imparting movement to angularly displaceable sheet supporting sections; and the provision of a device em bodying the foregoing features and advantages which is compact, durable, and efiicient in operation. v

The more specific objects and advantages which characterize this invention reside in the provision of substantially right-angularly shaped hinged sections forming a clamp; the provision of improved means for retaining the clamp in open or closed position; the provision of improved means for securing, angularly adjustable sheet engaging members to said sections; the provision of improved yieldingly resistant means for in one structural embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of the device of this invention, parts being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 isa longitudinal sectional View on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the device in open position;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line (r6 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

. Figure 7 and 8 are fragmentary end elevational and plan views, respectively, of an alternate hinge and lock construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 designates, in its entirety, a clamp which serves as a supporting frame for the sheet engaging elements to be described later, said clamp comprising angularly displaceable rigid sections 6 and 7, said sections being preferably formed of substantially right angularly shaped elongated plates of relatively sti metal, each plate having curved portions 8 and 9, thus avoiding sharp corners, and facilitating the angular displacement of the sections on their hinge.

The sections 6 and 7 are pivoted adjacent their extremities for angular displacement on hinge plates 10, l1, l2 and 13, alternativewith a cylindrical car 16, which latter is adapted for reception between and in spaced relation to the inner ends of the ears 1."), to permit of longitudinal adjustment of said sections, a rod 17 extending axially through all of said cars, so that the latter are rotatable about said rod. The rod is preferably fixedly secured in the ear 15. As bestshown in Figure 1 the adjacent margins of the plates 6 and 7 are sufficiently spaced or cut away to accommodate the cars and 16, the margins of the sections, however, being quite proximate at the medial portion of the clamp as seen in Figure 2. a

The hinge plate 10 is provided with an arcuate portion 18 of a curvature having the rod 17 as its center, said arcuate portion 18 being provided with a plurality of transverse slots 19, said slots being parallel with the longitudinal axis of the device. The hinge plate is providedwith an arcuate portion 20 of a curvature having the rod 17 as its center and lying within the arcuate portion 18 and in proximity thereto. The free end of the portion 20, which portion is in the nature of a tongue or narrow strip, is provided with a bifurcation forming bearing portions 21, between which portions is rotatively mounted a pinion 22 carried by a shaft 23, said pinion being in engagement with the slots 19, the shaft 23 having a squared portion 24, engaging the pinion, so that said pinion will rotate with said shaft. The shaft 23 extends toward the adjacent end of the clamp and carries a. thumb screw 25 by which the shaft may be rotated. The pinion is held against rotation by a locking member comprising the right-angularly shaped lever pivoted at 26 on the under-face of the arcuate tongue 20, one portion 27 of said locking lever'extending outwardly toward the adjacent end of the device and the other portion 28 of said lever extendin toward the pinion 22 and; terminating in a tapering pawl portion 29 which is adapted to engage in the teeth of the pinion 22 and retain the same against rotation.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that when the clamp comprising the hinged sections 6 and 7 is in the closed position shown in Figure 1, the lever 27 will serve to prevent accidental angular displacement of the sections 6 and 7. However, if it is desired to open said sections, the lever 27 is swung to the right as viewed from the aspect of Fig ure 2, which thereby releases the pinion and permits the sections to be swung into the position shown in Figure 4: or to any of the intermediate positions. When the device has been opened, or swung to any position other than the closed the lever 27 may be swung back into its original position and the sections thus retained against accidental displacement. However the pawl 29 does not prevent the positive opening or closing of the section as the inherent resiliency of the arm 28 permits rotation of the pinion for moving the sections, said pawl riding over the teeth of the pinion.

The sheet engaging and retaining elements are carried by the sections 6 and 7, said sheet engaging elements preferably taking the form of opposed groups of curved prongs or fingers 30-3O and 3131 the fingers of said groups being arranged in alternate relation as best shown in Figure 2. The fingers 30 are carried by a plate 32 and the fingers 31 are similarly carried by a plate 33, said plates bein in turn carried by the angularly displaceable sections 6 and 7. As here shown the groups of fingers 30 and 31, respectively, are slidably adjustable, and slidably and angularly adjustable on the sections 6 and 7, though, of course, both groups might be made slidably and angularly adjustable or displaceable relative to sections 6 and 7. I The plate 32 is offset at 34 and provided with a marginal flange 35 so that the medial portion 36 of said plate is in spaced reIation to the adjacent surface of thesection 6, the medial portion 36 being provided with two or more elongated slots 37-457 for receiving screws 38-38 engaged in the section 6. The plate 32 is thus longitudinally displaceable on the section 6, said plate 32 be 1ng held in its various positions by friction against the section 6.

The fingers 30 are secured in the plate 32 by the provision of slots 39--39, sa d slots opening at the outer edge of the said plate 32 and receiving each the reduced flat portions 40 of the fingers 30, thus forming heads on said fingers, the slots terminating at the inner ends of the offset portion 34 to form a seat for the flattened portion of the finger held thereby, the proximity of the inner surface of the wall of the section 6 atfording an abutment cooperating with the plate 32, thus preventing upwardidisplacement of the finger by engagement with the head 41 formed thereon. It will be observed that the heads formed by the flat portions 40 are beveled at -10, these beveled portions engaging the abutment or wall of section 6, and snugly holding the fingers 30.

The plate 33 which carries the fingers 31 is pivoted for angular displaccn'icnt on the section 7, said plate 33 being provided with a series of cylindrical lugs 1-2-42 which pivotally engage a rod 43 extending from end to end of the device and fixedly mounted in spaced lugs 44 44, formed integrally on the free longitudinal margin. of the section 7, said plate being provided with an oifset portion 45, thus spacing the plate from the adjacent surface of the section 7. The prongs or fingers 31 are mounted in theplate 33 byriveting the ends of said prongs which projectthrough the plate as indicated at 46.

,The'prongs 30 and 31 are curved with-' the inwardly and is disposed adjacent the inner margin of the plate 33, the sinu'ations in said tongue 49 affording a plurality of notches 50 adapted to receive the edge of said plate 33 and retain same in various angular positions. The prongs 31 may be adjusted relatively to the section 5 so that certain sheets may be inserted or removed at predetermined points without completely disturbing the remainder of the sheets. It will be obvious that the prongs 31' may thus be swung into the dotted line position shown in Figure 1 when desired, and it will also be seen that plate 32 may be moved longitudi nallv of the section 7 by virtue of the relatively large spaces between the lugs 44. Thus the prongs 30 may be longitudinally displaced 'on the section 6 as desired to accommodate them to certain punchings and the prongs 31 may be both angularly and longitudinally displaced on the section 7.

Referring again to Figures 2 and 3 and to Figure 5, the alternative form of hinge which comprises the hinge plates 12 and 13 is best shown. In this arrangement the hinge plate 12 is provided with a pair of cylindrical lugs or ears 51 at either end, said lugs being-rotatable upon the shaft or rod 17. The plate 13' is-provided with an ear 52 on the rod 17 between and in spaced relation to the ears 51, thus permitting longitudinal displacement of the sections. hinge plates 12 and 13 are riveted at 54-54 tothe sections 6 and 7 similarly to the attachment of the hinge plates 10 and 11. The hinge plate 12 is provided with an integral arcuate portion 55, which latter .is sinuated to afford notches 56, the portion 55, de-- scribing an arc, the center of which is the rod 17. The hinge plate. 13 is provided with a curved portion 57 describingan arc, the center of which is the rod '17, sald curved portion 57 lying beyond the sinuated porthe device is open.

The

tion 55 but in proximity thereto. The

curved plate 57 is provided with a flange or tongue 58, near the free end margin, or at any other desired point, and directed to ward the sinuatedplate 55, said flange being adapted to seat in one of the notches 56 and thus sustain the angular disposition of the sections 6 and 7.' The inherent resiliency of the two curved portions 55 and 57 permits of angular displacement of the sections 6 and 7. Itv will be understood that, while the two forms of hinge are illustrated as embodied in one sheet holder, the forms of hinge may be alternately employed. It is obvious that whether either or both of the hinge structures are employed, the sections 6 and 7 are both relatively angularly and longitudinally displaceable, as are the sheet engaging elements carried thereby. The sheets held by the device will prevent relative movement of the sections, except When Reference being had to it will be seen that the clamp sections, here designated 6' and 7, are hingedly connected by plates 58 and 59,riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the sections. Said plates are provided with ears 60 and 61, respectively, which serve to engage the rod 17 The plate 58 is provided with an upstanding Figures 7 and 8 I iii] wall 62, preferably semi-circular, with the rod 17 as a center, and said wall projecting over the adjacent underlying portion of the section 7 The plate 59 is provided with a wall 63, similar to the wall 62, said wall 63 having an arcuate slot 64 therein and described about the rod 17 as a center. One edge of the slot 64 is bordered by a series of rack teeth 65, and a pinion 66 carried by a shaft 67 is in mesh with said rack teeth. A handle 68 is provided on one end of the shaft 67 for manipulating same. It will be seen from Fi re 8 that the walls 62 and 63 are slighty spaced, and'in this space, fixedly secured at 69 to the wall 62, I provide a resilient arm 76, offset at one end to form a finger 71, which engages the teeth of the pinion-to normally tend to arrest its rotation and thus lock the device against accidental movement. The hinge at the opposite end of the device, (not shown), serves to co-operate with the hinge plates 58 and 59 for preventing dislodgment of the parts.

In some instances it is desirable that. the fingers or sheet engaging elements 30 and .31 be relatively displaceable on their re spective sections without angularly displacing the sections or the fingers themselves.

To this end the free extremities of the fingers of each set are recessed at 73-and 74,

respectively, (see Fig. 4) whereby to permit the passage of the ends of the fingers even though these ends be in substan-,

tially the SametranSver-se plane.- This arsired to shift the pins or fingers 30 or 31 from one position of alternate relationship to another similar position. Furthermore, this arrangement adds to the adaptability and flexibility of the device.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support including angularly displaceable sections, and angularly displaceable sheet engaging devices on one of said sections.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support including angularly displaceable sections, longitudinally: adjustable sheet engaging devices removably mounted on one of said sections, and means for maintaining said sheet engaging devices in various positions of such adjustment.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a clamp comprising hinged sections, means permitting relative movement of said sections in opposite directions but automatically retaining said sections in lar relationship, angularly adjustable sheet engaging means on one of said sections, and means for retaining said sheet engaging means in adjusted position.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly displaceable elements, means for retaining said elements in relative angular displacement, and sheet engaging elements on one of said angularly displaceable elements and angularly displaceable relative thereto.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a clamp comprising angularly displaceable sections, means for retaining said sections in redetermined angular relationship, angular y and longitudinally adjustable sheet engaging elements on said sections, and means for maintaining said elements in adjustment.

'- 8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a frame comprising angularly displaceable sections, a plurality of sheet engaging devices on one of saidse'c tions, and angularly displaceable relative thereto, and means for maintaining the angular relationship of said sections.

9. In a device of the character descrlbed in combination, means for supporting and retaining a plurality of sheets comprising angularly adjustable sections, sheet engaging elements on one of said sections and angularly adjustable relative thereto, and

cover members hingedly mounted upon said but automatically retaining said sections in predetermined angular relationship, and angularly displaceable cover members on said sections.

12. In a device of thecharactr described, in combination, angularly adjustable supporting sections, and angularly adjustab e arcuate sheet engaging elements on one of said sections.

'13. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly adjustable supportingsections, and angularly adjustable sheet engaging elements on one of said sections, said sheet enga ing elements being curved about the axis 0 the said sections.

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly adjustable supporting sections, and sheet engaging elements angularly and longitudinally adjustable on said sections, said sheet engaging elements being curved about the axis of said sections. r v 15. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly displaceable supporting sections, and arcuate sheet engaging elements angularly and slidably adjustable on said sections.

16. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly displaceable supporting sections, and means for maintaining angular adjustment of said sections, arcuate sheet 'cngaging elements angularly displaceable upon one of said sections, and means for maintaining angular adjustment'of said sheet engaging elements.

17. In a device of the character described,

in combination, apair of hinged supporting sections, one of said sections havi'ng slidably adjustable sheet engaging elements and the other of said sections having angularly and slidably adjustable sheet engaging elements.

18. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a pair of hinged sup ortingof said hinged sections.

19. In a device of the character described, in combination, hin ed supporting sections, and, angularly displaceable curved prongs extending from one of said sections, said prongs being curved about the hinge joint of said sections as a center.

20. In a device of the character described,

in combination, hinged supporting sections, and a plurality of curved prongs extending in staggered relationship from and angularly adjustable upon said sections, said prongs being curved about the hinge joint of said sectlons as a center.

21. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly displaceable supporting sections, and groups of curved prongs on said sections, and said groups being independently angularly and slidably displaceable on said sections.

22. In a device of the character described, 1n combination, angularly displaceable supporting sections, and groups of sheet engaging elements on said sections, said groups being independently angularly and slidably adjustable and projecting in opposed staggered relation from said sections.

; 23. In a device of the character described, 1n combination, angularly displaceable supporting sections, and sheet engaging means adapted for independent angular and longitudinal displacement relative to one of said sections.

24. In a loose sheet holder,'angularly displaceable supporting sections, and angular.-

placeable supporting sections, means ly and longitudinally displaceable sheet engaging means on said sections.

25. In a loose sheet holder, angularly displaceable. supporting sections, means for maintaining said sections in various angular positions, and angularly displaceable sheet engaglng means on one of said sections.

26. In a loose sheet holder, angularly disfor maintaining said sections in various angular positions. and angularly. displaceable sheet engaging means on one of said sections, and

means for maintaining said sheet engaging means in various angular positions.

27. In a device of the character described, in combination, an abutment, a longitudinally displaceable carrying plate on said abutment, and a supporting element en aged in said plate and retained against disp acement by said abutment. Y H

28. In a device of the character described, in combination, an abutment, a. carrying plate on said abutment and displaceable relative thereto along one surface thereof, and a supporting element removably engaged with said plate and in contactwith said abutment.

29. In a device of the character described, in, combination,an abutment, a plate slidable on said abutment and having slots, fingers having flattened portions engaged in said slots and'a'bevcled surface engaging the abutment, said lingers being retained in and for movement with said plate by said abutment.

30. In a device of the character described, in combination, an abutment, a carrying plate supported by said abutment, said plate having an inclined portion, and a supporting arm projecting. from said inclined portion of the carrying plate and engaging said abutment.

31. In a device of the character described,

' in combination, an abutment, a carrying plate supported bysaid abutment, said plate having an inclined portion, and a slot in said portion, and a supporting arm hav ing a reducedportion lying in said slot and a head engaging said abutment.

32. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly displaceable elements, a rack and pinion for imparting relative movement to said elements, and means for yicldingly restraining said rack and pinion against movement in one direction.

33. In a loose sheet holder, opposed groups of spaced sheet engaging prongs,

vsaid groups of prongs being adapted for independent angular and lateral displacements. 3ft. Ina loose sheet holder, opposed sheet engaging prongs, one group of said prongs being laterally and angularly displaceable,

and the other group of said prongs being laterally displaceable.

35. In a device ,of the character described, in combination, a support comprising angularly and longitudinally displaceable sections, and angularly displaceable engaging elements on one of said sections.

36. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support comprising angularly and longitudinally displaceable sections, and angularly and longitudinally dis-. placeable elements carried by said sections.

37 In a device of the character described, v in combination, a support comprising relatively angularly and slidably adjustable sections, and angularly and slidable adjustable object engaging means on said sections.

38. In a loose sheet holder, a pair of angularly and slidably displaceable sections, and a plurality of sheet engaging devices angula'rly and slidably displaceable and carried by said sections.

39. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support comprising relatively angularly and slidably adjustable sections, and angularly adustable object engaging means on one of said sections.

40. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support comprising relatively angularly and slidably adjustable sections. and object engaging means on said sections, and common means for maintaining sections in predetermined positions of angular and longitudinal adjustment.

41. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support comprising relatively angularly adjustable and slidably displaceable sections. and object engaging means on said sections, and means for automatically maintaining sections in different predetermined angular positions.

42. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly and longitudinally displaceable supporting sections, and means for maintaining said sections in various predetermined angularpositions of adjustment.

4.3. In a device of the character described, in combination, angularly displaceable supporting sections, angularly displaceable sheet engaging members on one of said sections, and means for maintaining said sheet engaging sections in various positions of adustment.

44:, In a device of the character described, in combination, lineally' displaceable supporting sections, angularly displaceable sheet engaging members on one of said sections, and means for maintaining said sheet engaging sections in various positions of adustment.

45. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a supporting section, op-.

posed groups of lineally displaceable sheet engaging elements on said section, and means for permitting lineal displacement of said groups of elements when in the same plane.

46. In a'device of the character described, in combination, a supporting section, op-

.signed my name.

posed groups of lineally displaceable sheet engaging elements on said section, means for affording angular displacement of said sheet engaging elements, and means for permitting lineal group displacement of said elements when in the same plane.

47. In a device of the character described, in combination, a supporting section, lineally displaceable sheet engaging elements on said section, and means for permitting lineal group displacement of said elements when in the same plane.

48. In a device of the character described, in combination, a supporting section, opposed groups of sheet engaging elements carried by said section and forming sheet retaining means and capable of I group displacement longitudinally of the support in such a manner that a sheet engaging element of one group may pass a sheet engaging element of another group when in the same planes of movement.

49. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support comprising angularly and longitudinally displaceable sections, and engaging elements angularly displaceable on one of said sections.

50. In a device of the character described. in combination, a support comprising angularly and longitudinally displaceable sections. and engaging elements angularly and longitudinally displaceable on one of said sections.

51. In a deviceof the character described, in combination. a supporting section, opposed groups of lineally displaceable sheet engaging elements on said section, said elements being adjustable in coincident planes and having their adjacent ends complementally recessed to afiord such adjustment.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto JOSEPH EIFEL. 

